Cher’s One-of-a-Kind Fashion Legacy

As Bob Mackie once said of his muse and client, “She was like a big Barbie doll.” If Barbie favored four-foot-high feather headdresses, that is. In honor of her new movie, Burlesque, we tick off Cher’s most memorable fashion moments. Plus:Cher on Chaz, Sonny, and Staying in the Spotlight,

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Navel Gaze
A photo from The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, circa 1973. Cher engaged designer Bob Mackie to work exclusively with her on all of her costumes for the show’s four-year run and, later, for her own solo gig, The Cher Show. The designer’s fluency with feathers, beading, and irrepressible theatricality produced some of Cher’s most iconic looks—and caught the attention of the CBS Standards Department. Navel-flaunting was still risqué for 70s family prime time.

Party Fowl!
Cher steps out in 1974 wearing a barely there Bob Mackie bodysuit with feather-and-crystal embroidery—the same look she would famously wear on the cover of Time the following spring. “She had such an unbelievable body,” Mackie said of his muse. “She could wear anything.”

It’s Not Unusual
Cher trades in her signature down-to-there black mane for an outré pouf wig. She’s performing with Tom Jones in a 1976 Thanksgiving special, and still svelte in a sheer studded top and nude bra.

That’s Entertainment
And now for the requisite Busby-Berkeley-meets-She-Ra moment, complete with finger waves and gold Art Deco headpiece at the 1978 Disco Convention (can they please revive these?). Three years married to rocker Gregg Allman, Cher didn’t let her post-Sonny career halt any fashion derring-do.

Oscar Glory
At the 1986 Academy Awards, Cher looks downright demure in a Mackie chain-link halter and feather headdress. She was not nominated for her role in Mask, a snub the actress took personally. Cher settled the score on the red carpet, famously saying, “As you can see, I did receive my Academy booklet on how to dress like a serious actress.” Jane Fonda later introduced her onstage: “Wait’ll you see what’s gonna come out here … ”

Paging Morticia Addams
Cher at the Met again to celebrate the work of Gianni Versace, 1997. The designer’s flamboyant and sexy take on dressing attracted Cher, who remained a regular and faithful client during his life. She’s seen here in a studded leather gown and matching overcoat.

Barely There
Not to disappoint on Oscar night, Cher is crème de crochet at the ‘98 Academy Awards in a Bob Mackie dress and headpiece. The actress was included in the onstage tribute for all living best-actor and actress winners. Months earlier, her ex-husband and partner Sonny Bono died in a skiing accident.

Do You Believe?
Cher does rave nymph at the A.M.A.’s in 1999 for her “Believe” record. The techno torch song is one of the best-selling singles of all time, with more than 10 million copies sold worldwide and a Grammy win for Best Dance Recording. She was 53.